Alchemilla  (Alchemilla minima)

Alchemilla minima does not, at this moment, appear to be a threatened plant. However, the extremely restricted range and the difficulties in managing its habitat closely, means that it is important to ensure that it does not become a threatened species.

The sites where the plant occurs are currently protected by English Nature as Sites of Special Scientific Interest and part of the area is managed as a National Nature Reserve (NNR). Within the boundaries of these areas, A. minimacolonies can be monitored closely and the grazing strictly controlled. Outside these areas, however, the plant remains a species at risk.

English Nature has included A. minima in its Species Recovery Programme with the aim of maintaining the plant as viable British species. It is also listed on the UK Biodiversity Action Plans. The chief aims of the action plan are to maintain the existing populations and to create a reserve collection of plants in nurseries. This will include seed collection for storage at the Millennium Seed Bank run by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Alchemilla minima has probably always been an uncommon plant in Britain and a priority will be to clarify its individual status as a distinct species. Since the habitat management currently employed is solely based on knowledge of one, small area, it is important that the full distribution of this plant is known. There needs to be a greater understanding of the ecology of this interesting member of the lady's mantle family.